From looking at the guestbook it looks we’re all journeying towards the big marquee in Cork.
Music is huge here isn’t it. We’re staying right above Gallaghers gastropub, named after the man Rory himself. It’s full of pictures of him and a big plaque too. 100 yards down the road is Sin e, the music pub. Right next door to the funeral parlour. Hope we get to spend a couple of hours there tonight.
The pub, not the other…
The very best of luck for tomorrow!
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Huge…tis HUGE
cant get away from it
tis like a plague
some years back I saw this sign in a Galway pub window
Hi Christy .. really looking forward to the gig in the tent tomorrow evening.. it’s been far to long since you last played here …lots of gigs here in the tent and out in independent park …great boost to the local economy.. but your gig is the one i am waiting for … so safe travels and have a great gig in tent tomorrow evening…Tony …
Christy's reply
Saturday night
packed in tight
all together in the big Marquee
Been over 2 years in the making, false start last year but hopefully back to some normality. It wont matter what your set list reveals, but watched Julie Walters tracing her irish heritage and it aligned with Farmer Michael Hayes. Bright Blue Rose would be top of my list to take back to Scotland as a memory of my visit to Cork. Have a good one.
Christy's reply
“they broke their brogues
a thousand pairs,
this great reward
for to obtain”
Evening Christy,
On the eve of Glastonbury i recall with fondness the live Glastonbury bohdran piece leading into The Well Below that brings up the rear on the Traveller album, and the remarkable choir of 4000 singers on the recording of Irish Pagan Ritual in the tent by the Lee.
Respect
Rory
Christy's reply
I loved those early Glastonburys…. pagan rituals…mystical, real, spontaneous,
now it seems more Fag-end Moss and Goldyballs Beckham…..Glamping and designer wellies…
ps…evenings gettin shorter over here as well…we wont feel it now til winter solstice will be upon us
CM (77)
Maybe Considine picked June 23rd because of Óiche Tine Sheàin.
Still very much alive and celebrated here tonight.Big fèile long ago.
Bones would be thrown into the fire,that’s why we are having a “tine cnàmh” tonight literally translates to bone fire.Even though we don’t have the bones anymore .Suppose that’s where bon fire comes from.Have to go now to find a box of matches . Slàn go fóil
CS
Christy's reply
“I stepped on board a vision
and followed with a will
shortly came to anchor
at The Cross of Spancilhill”………..( Michael Considine)
the beauty of his words…they flow like a mountain stream
Sending good vibrations for the Marquee..have a blast..
“To the tent in Cork with guitar and song,
A rousing crowd to sing along.
Hear the ballad of an ordinary man,
There’s Joxer with his jump leads; and a new (e-hybrid) transit van..”
Hello Christy, just sitting here on the ferry next to a big window and a bigger sea. It’s like a mill pond, as we say in Yorkshire. If there wasn’t Ireland in front of I think I might just stay here for the next few days
Thinking about Dave Burland’s album and the influence you said his singing had on you. He has beautiful rhythm and phrasing. Feel like I can hear it in your early years recording of Johnny Jump Up.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
back down to the blood ‘n bandage
hear the rebel sing
It’s the fair day in Spancil Hill…. the 23rd June….. the 23rd of June must’ve been a Sunday when young Michael Considine wrote his song as the fair carries over to the Monday in that case….
Good to see big events such as these returning.
Enjoy the big tent.
Hope you are keeping well? Many thanks for sending on the signed photos from the INEC gig last year! Heading to Cork for the gig this weekend, any possibility I could meet you briefly before/after the show for a quick photo? Would be much appreciated.
I seem to have been bitten by the bug. Been writing a lot. I use the stock line here again but you see I’m a chef to trade so I’ve monitored more stock over my time than I can remember.
I got inspiration for this one after listening to your song Stitch in Time.
Cheers
Seonaidh
Oh there was a man who went for a dram, not one or two but for four and more.
Never drank before, least not with a thirst. His time had come and his business burst.
So tell me now and tell me clear, what do you find fair? Who should I now fear?
Hear the range in their voice and the change in their tone.
They’ve taken my house, my life and my home.
Not able to leave, not able to go,
Nothing left in the pot, nowhere left to roam.
I did my figures and I paid my fees but in the end no one can spend.
Now I fear for the wife, the kids and the end, glass in hand now I sit alone.
So what would you do if you were I, rest for your laurels and homeless be.
Nothing left for rises for you, us or me but don’t you worry if you’re one of those MPs.
For you’ll have a rise with expenses paid.
Don’t worry about the bill,
Universal credit’s been slayed.
Cancel school meals and set up Rwandan camps
And Stick up the bills
Have them searching for their old tilly lamps.
Wizards and magic with witches in stride.
Apart from the moon, only alter the tide
But stop, take a breath so can you and I.
Forget the fear mongers and take back our pride.
For I live not for the numbers you create on a screen,
But for the love in her eyes, each morning I’ve seen
For the children’s rush,
And the dogs wagging glee.
The reasons I live, is for love, them and me.
No not for the numbers on your made up screen.
So take what you want and what you think you own.
My life is my life and my choices my own.
I hate you and love you for the opposite reason
Some things that I’ve thought
Back then,
T’was treason.
But by forcing me to live by only your way,
Through injections ‘n’ potions ‘n’ lack of fair pay.
You forced me to see and forced me to stare.
But thanks to you now I’m now most aware.
You’ve always said I needed so much,
The climb of a climb,
An unreachable summit,
Turns out though,
No need for a show,
Picket with spirit.
It’s nice down below.
Likeminded folk,
Easy pleasure.
Smiles and joy,
I said no to your treasure.
So now thanks to you I sit in my van, twice the size of the previous man.
I mean not in muscle, fat or in height. But strong from the love, from my new seen sight.
So goodbye to the need for your money and glory. I’ll sit in my van and read the boys this here story. A story of pride, an escape of slavery. A story so brave, the bravest of bravery. A man once lost, searching for love
Only to find it on his doorstep with no help from above.
He did it alone but alone he wont be for now he has found you, me and he.
So that’s what I’ll do,
I’ll teach from below.
Scum rises and rises but the stock sits below.
We are the stock,
The future,
The dream.
You’re still in charge.
Or so it would seem.
It slows you down to think, doesn’t it.
Like water flowing over smooth rocks
Time to pack. Heading to Anglesey today, via David Lim pipe maker extraordinaire in Manchester who’s going to give Steve a C natural and an F natural. It’s magic.
Hi All. Kevin that’s a wonderful rendition of BBR, go halainn ar fad. I never thought of it as a wedding song, but it’s perfect.You can’t beat Jimmy Mac. Sure we might even hear it in the Tent ! Beir bua agus Beannacht. H
Hi Christy,
Jayo and antoinette are taking my tickets for the tent by the Lee, they are fair looking forward.
It set me wondering what John Reilly would make of the big top.
I reckon he would gain hush and respect from 4000 revellers, all listening intently to The Well Below and to Who Put the Blood.
However i suspect that it would be far too daunting a gathering in some ways, too far from lovely Roscommon and from the bakery pans that needed tinkered or indeed too far from a quiet pint of porter with friendly faces in the back of a pub on the square in Boyle.
John Reilly was a small man of stature but his sound resonates on, i love all his songs especially Old Caravee.
Rory
Hello Christy,
Thinking about tunes this morning.
I’ve been listening to Dave Burland’s Dalesman’s Litany album these last few days. It’s a lovely album.
The title song is one that I love to sing and listen to.
Thinking about how the tune does it’s own thing with each singer. It has a life of it’s own.
I like that I’m wondering where my version comes from. I’ve no idea, I just sing the shape of it.
Your version is lovely.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Used to meet Dave regularly over 50 years ago…played his club in Barnsley and stayed in his home..loved his distinct style of singing and playing..lots of great clubs and singers in that part of Yorkshire back then…..I enjoyed my apprenticeship,…..singing, listening,learning,befriending….Dave Burland, Dave Brady in Bradford, Derek & Dorothy Elliot, Jim Potter, Bob &Hazel Spray,Alma Ford, Bob & Carol Pegg,Malcolm & Jenny Fox,Tony Capstick, and many more ……every night of the week, a great array of clubs within reach…..
my version came from Alastair Cameron..a stalwart of the Syke Lane Circuit
Hello Christy,
What’s surprising?
From looking at the guestbook it looks we’re all journeying towards the big marquee in Cork.
Music is huge here isn’t it. We’re staying right above Gallaghers gastropub, named after the man Rory himself. It’s full of pictures of him and a big plaque too. 100 yards down the road is Sin e, the music pub. Right next door to the funeral parlour. Hope we get to spend a couple of hours there tonight.
The pub, not the other…
The very best of luck for tomorrow!
Rebecca
Huge…tis HUGE
cant get away from it
tis like a plague
some years back I saw this sign in a Galway pub window
ABSOLUTELY NO MUSIC ALLOWED ON THESE PREMISES….
Hi Christy .. really looking forward to the gig in the tent tomorrow evening.. it’s been far to long since you last played here …lots of gigs here in the tent and out in independent park …great boost to the local economy.. but your gig is the one i am waiting for … so safe travels and have a great gig in tent tomorrow evening…Tony …
Saturday night
packed in tight
all together in the big Marquee
Hi Christy,
Been over 2 years in the making, false start last year but hopefully back to some normality. It wont matter what your set list reveals, but watched Julie Walters tracing her irish heritage and it aligned with Farmer Michael Hayes. Bright Blue Rose would be top of my list to take back to Scotland as a memory of my visit to Cork. Have a good one.
“they broke their brogues
a thousand pairs,
this great reward
for to obtain”
The lengths we go to, that the lines might scan
Evening Christy,
On the eve of Glastonbury i recall with fondness the live Glastonbury bohdran piece leading into The Well Below that brings up the rear on the Traveller album, and the remarkable choir of 4000 singers on the recording of Irish Pagan Ritual in the tent by the Lee.
Respect
Rory
I loved those early Glastonburys…. pagan rituals…mystical, real, spontaneous,
now it seems more Fag-end Moss and Goldyballs Beckham…..Glamping and designer wellies…
ps…evenings gettin shorter over here as well…we wont feel it now til winter solstice will be upon us
St John’s Wort
This time of year.
Is it a thing in Galway?
It’s massive here. Grows like wildfire in my garden.
That and comfrey.
Lovely useful things.
Rebecca
janey mac
The twenty third of June; Spancil Hill Fair. It’s also Bonfire Night in several parts of the country but not around here at all.
our spirits were quelled in manys the garrison town
CM (77)
Maybe Considine picked June 23rd because of Óiche Tine Sheàin.
Still very much alive and celebrated here tonight.Big fèile long ago.
Bones would be thrown into the fire,that’s why we are having a “tine cnàmh” tonight literally translates to bone fire.Even though we don’t have the bones anymore .Suppose that’s where bon fire comes from.Have to go now to find a box of matches . Slàn go fóil
CS
“I stepped on board a vision
and followed with a will
shortly came to anchor
at The Cross of Spancilhill”………..( Michael Considine)
the beauty of his words…they flow like a mountain stream
Sending good vibrations for the Marquee..have a blast..
“To the tent in Cork with guitar and song,
A rousing crowd to sing along.
Hear the ballad of an ordinary man,
There’s Joxer with his jump leads; and a new (e-hybrid) transit van..”
“face the puck out” sez iggy broderick
Hello Christy, just sitting here on the ferry next to a big window and a bigger sea. It’s like a mill pond, as we say in Yorkshire. If there wasn’t Ireland in front of I think I might just stay here for the next few days
Thinking about Dave Burland’s album and the influence you said his singing had on you. He has beautiful rhythm and phrasing. Feel like I can hear it in your early years recording of Johnny Jump Up.
Rebecca
back down to the blood ‘n bandage
hear the rebel sing
It’s the fair day in Spancil Hill…. the 23rd June….. the 23rd of June must’ve been a Sunday when young Michael Considine wrote his song as the fair carries over to the Monday in that case….
Good to see big events such as these returning.
Enjoy the big tent.
doubt’cha boy
Shades of Peter Hames “Ordinary Man” in there; true.
Hi Christy,
Hope you are keeping well? Many thanks for sending on the signed photos from the INEC gig last year! Heading to Cork for the gig this weekend, any possibility I could meet you briefly before/after the show for a quick photo? Would be much appreciated.
Looking forward to the show.
Regards,
Gareth
not possible Gareth,regrets…
I really like that, Seonaidh. Thankyou.
Made me think of Ordinary Man by Peter Hames.
No such thing as an ordinary man…
Good morning sir,
I seem to have been bitten by the bug. Been writing a lot. I use the stock line here again but you see I’m a chef to trade so I’ve monitored more stock over my time than I can remember.
I got inspiration for this one after listening to your song Stitch in Time.
Cheers
Seonaidh
Oh there was a man who went for a dram, not one or two but for four and more.
Never drank before, least not with a thirst. His time had come and his business burst.
So tell me now and tell me clear, what do you find fair? Who should I now fear?
Hear the range in their voice and the change in their tone.
They’ve taken my house, my life and my home.
Not able to leave, not able to go,
Nothing left in the pot, nowhere left to roam.
I did my figures and I paid my fees but in the end no one can spend.
Now I fear for the wife, the kids and the end, glass in hand now I sit alone.
So what would you do if you were I, rest for your laurels and homeless be.
Nothing left for rises for you, us or me but don’t you worry if you’re one of those MPs.
For you’ll have a rise with expenses paid.
Don’t worry about the bill,
Universal credit’s been slayed.
Cancel school meals and set up Rwandan camps
And Stick up the bills
Have them searching for their old tilly lamps.
Wizards and magic with witches in stride.
Apart from the moon, only alter the tide
But stop, take a breath so can you and I.
Forget the fear mongers and take back our pride.
For I live not for the numbers you create on a screen,
But for the love in her eyes, each morning I’ve seen
For the children’s rush,
And the dogs wagging glee.
The reasons I live, is for love, them and me.
No not for the numbers on your made up screen.
So take what you want and what you think you own.
My life is my life and my choices my own.
I hate you and love you for the opposite reason
Some things that I’ve thought
Back then,
T’was treason.
But by forcing me to live by only your way,
Through injections ‘n’ potions ‘n’ lack of fair pay.
You forced me to see and forced me to stare.
But thanks to you now I’m now most aware.
You’ve always said I needed so much,
The climb of a climb,
An unreachable summit,
Turns out though,
No need for a show,
Picket with spirit.
It’s nice down below.
Likeminded folk,
Easy pleasure.
Smiles and joy,
I said no to your treasure.
So now thanks to you I sit in my van, twice the size of the previous man.
I mean not in muscle, fat or in height. But strong from the love, from my new seen sight.
So goodbye to the need for your money and glory. I’ll sit in my van and read the boys this here story. A story of pride, an escape of slavery. A story so brave, the bravest of bravery. A man once lost, searching for love
Only to find it on his doorstep with no help from above.
He did it alone but alone he wont be for now he has found you, me and he.
So that’s what I’ll do,
I’ll teach from below.
Scum rises and rises but the stock sits below.
We are the stock,
The future,
The dream.
You’re still in charge.
Or so it would seem.
Hello Christy and All,
For all of you who must discover
For all who seek to understand
For having left the path of others
You’ll find a very special hand
It slows you down to think, doesn’t it.
Like water flowing over smooth rocks
Time to pack. Heading to Anglesey today, via David Lim pipe maker extraordinaire in Manchester who’s going to give Steve a C natural and an F natural. It’s magic.
Rebecca
Good rendition of Mc Carthy’s BBR. It’s a ‘wordy’ song I do always think but great. Packs a lot does Jimmy into the lyrics.
I skimmed across Blackwater
without once submering
onto the Banks of an Urban morning
that hungers the first light
much much more
than the mountains ever do
…………………….i need to pause here and ponder Jimmy’s opening lines…it could be some time before I get to continue….
Hi All. Kevin that’s a wonderful rendition of BBR, go halainn ar fad. I never thought of it as a wedding song, but it’s perfect.You can’t beat Jimmy Mac. Sure we might even hear it in the Tent ! Beir bua agus Beannacht. H
heres hopin t’wont be a windy night
Hi Christy. Just a word of thanks for your advice in singing BBR. I reverted to it any time the nerves came. Managed to record the audio on the iPhone so quality is not the best but here it is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TjHM__TrsO-cCRmnTBxQPnrplyqdAakJ/view?usp=drivesdk
Thanks
Kev
lovely hurlin kevin
Hi Christy,
Jayo and antoinette are taking my tickets for the tent by the Lee, they are fair looking forward.
It set me wondering what John Reilly would make of the big top.
I reckon he would gain hush and respect from 4000 revellers, all listening intently to The Well Below and to Who Put the Blood.
However i suspect that it would be far too daunting a gathering in some ways, too far from lovely Roscommon and from the bakery pans that needed tinkered or indeed too far from a quiet pint of porter with friendly faces in the back of a pub on the square in Boyle.
John Reilly was a small man of stature but his sound resonates on, i love all his songs especially Old Caravee.
Rory
“when she took the black bottle to me”
we’ll rise again Rory
Hello Christy,
Thinking about tunes this morning.
I’ve been listening to Dave Burland’s Dalesman’s Litany album these last few days. It’s a lovely album.
The title song is one that I love to sing and listen to.
Thinking about how the tune does it’s own thing with each singer. It has a life of it’s own.
I like that I’m wondering where my version comes from. I’ve no idea, I just sing the shape of it.
Your version is lovely.
Rebecca
Used to meet Dave regularly over 50 years ago…played his club in Barnsley and stayed in his home..loved his distinct style of singing and playing..lots of great clubs and singers in that part of Yorkshire back then…..I enjoyed my apprenticeship,…..singing, listening,learning,befriending….Dave Burland, Dave Brady in Bradford, Derek & Dorothy Elliot, Jim Potter, Bob &Hazel Spray,Alma Ford, Bob & Carol Pegg,Malcolm & Jenny Fox,Tony Capstick, and many more ……every night of the week, a great array of clubs within reach…..
my version came from Alastair Cameron..a stalwart of the Syke Lane Circuit